Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-23
N0WLAN & DE PRIEST.
THEIR CASE BEFORE THE POLICE
COURT YESTERDAY MORNING..
The Casus Belli Fully Examined Into and
Each Combatant Fined S5.

fighting and creating disturbance on
the street. The difficulty, a report of
which was published in the Dispatch
Of Sunday. occurred the night before
in front Of Murphy's Hotel, at the cor
ner OF Eighth and Broad streets.
THE TALK.
Since his appointment about ten days
ago by the Council Committee on
Grounds and Buildings to the position
of keeper of the New Reservolr-Park,
Mr.. De Priest, his appointment, his as
sociation with the new City-Hall work
and its plans, his contract with Archi-
tect Myers, written by Mayor Car
rington,) by which he received 2l,5OO
for his "infuence in having Myers's
plan adopted by the Council, " and his
career generally, have been much
talked about and commented on, and
in many instances severely so. This
difficulty was the outgrowth of such
comment.
1t being known that the case would
come up for hearing yesterday morning
there was an immense crowd IN attend
ance upon the court, including Mr.
William II. Mullen, oGitor of the LdjoT
UCrdid, and other prominent members
Of the Reform party.
FIRST WITNESS.
When the case was called the accused
appeared without counsel. When the
witnesses had been sworn Nr. George
Cbiljrcss was first called upon to testify
| He said be and Mr.. Nowlan were leaning
against the iiro-plug and Mr.. Nowlan
was relating what had passed between
himself and Mr.. De Priest the night
before, wlsn Nr. De Priest, who had
passed by and halted when near the
strcet-car track. came up. When De
Priest reached tie curbing and halted
witness walked into the hotel, rs he was
Il cripple and thinking there was to be
trouble considered it best for him to
retire. When hc came out of the hotel
lie saw the parties being held 10y
friends, they having been separated
and taken apart.
Mr.. De Priest asked witness:
"Did you hear Nowlan say when
halted at the haa-stone: There's that
d--n fellow now.
"No, sir; / only heard him say
there is that fellow now, and at once
went into the hotel.
OTHER WITNESSES.
Dr. Abram Cohen: 81 did not see
the beginning Of the difficulty; only
saw Mr.. Joseph Pizzini standing be
tween the two, holding them apart.
Major Eichard i. Walker said h
knew nothing of tine fight ; was not
! present.
Mr. Archie Burke said he was in
cicar-storc up the street when lie heard
of the fight; that be ran down to the
corner and found Tom with his coat
off and Clinton standing in the middle
OF the pavement that he took hold ct
NoWlan and carried him down TO the
corner Of Ninth street and talked with
him for a few moments, and they went
back up the street and home.
The examination was here suspended
until Mr. Richard Dcnoon could by
summoned from the suite Office.
AZ EYEWITNESS.
When this gentleman arrived he was
sworn end gave his testimony. saying
that Mr.. Nowian was sittlngon the fire
ulug and he was standing near by that
Novan was talking about the " Baltl-
more matter" in connection with Mr..
De ricst, saying that ne knew nothing
OF il more than by hcarslv. when De
Priest cane up tO the illgstOne.
When be first saw De Priest he tried to
direct Nowlans attention IN that direc-
ton. 20 that nothing would be said that
was calculated to provoke a difficulty,
J but did not succeed. When DE Priest
halted Nowlan, pointing Mt him, said
There's the fellow now De Priest
came up, caught Nowlan by the coat
collar with both hands, and said ::
"1hot is a d-n lie Blows followed
and the combatants were separated.
The witness was cross-questioncd by
Mr. De Priest, hat his statement re-
NAMED rs above. lie, in answer to q
question, said that he heard De Priest
ask some one to take his umbrella, and
saw him after the frIcas get it from
Nurpby's, but knew nothing as to how
il came TO be there.
EOWLAN SPEAKS.
Mr.. Nowlan said that he was passing
down Grace street one morning and saw
Major Dick Walker, who spoke to him
about the eappointment of Mr.. De Priest
He said in reply that it was a dirty act,
appointing Republican to the posi-
ton. Last Friday night he met Mr.
De Priest in front OF Pizzini's, who said
that he had heard that he had been
talking about him. Witness repeated
to him what he had said to Major
Walker, and also told him that he had
nothing against him except his politics.
Saturday night he was sitting on the
plug talking about De Priest, and made
remark about the Baltimore matter,
when De Priest came up, denounced
the statement as "A ID lie, and struck
him. He returned the blow and they
were separated.
MIR. De Priest questioned the wit
ness closely, addressing him Tom
in very familiar manner, as though
they were "chums." Witness said he
had said nothing abolt Mr.. De Priest
more than he had said to him. He knew
nothing about the Baltimore matter,
but had heard a great deal Of talk
about it. and had heard that there are
men in Richmond who can substantiate
the charges that have been made.
rrrt, - r,rcp,,rCrr~ prcur
Mr.. De Priest took from his pocket |
a copy OF the Dispaich and asked MIR. |
Nowlan if the account of the difficulty |
there given was furnished by him.
He replied that the account was
given by Mr.. Pizzini in his presence,
and that it was correct, and he would |
endorse it as a whole.
Stephen Foster, colored youth en-
ployed in Mr.. Pizzini's store, was also
witness, but knew nothing OF the
fight only heard Nowlan speaking Of
De Priest in abusive terms.
DE PRIESTS STATEMENT.
Mr.. De Priest was the next and last
witness. He said that on THURSDAY
Major Dick Walker came to him ant
told him that Tom Nowlan had been
talking about him in shameful man
ner. Friday night be saw " Tom and
Il l..